Well we all had a good time camping up at Orcas Island over the weekend. It was good to finaly meet Zane and a few of the other members. The weather was even better than expected, so all went well. Its not back country, but a nice place to get away for a weekend. Hope everyone had a safe flight home and will come this way again soon. Below are a few photo's.

This was Friday evening on the way up to the Islands.


Neighbors, Zane and Alex


Alex wishing maybe he had a real door on that thing.


Zane going for a joy ride around the Islands


Back from the joy ride

The location was great. In one direction: a twenty minute walk to town for a great breakfast. In the other: a beautiful beach for skipping rocks. I could see the light's of Vancouver Canada in the evening as I crawled into my tent. Oh, and by the way, I'm doing just fine without a "real" door on that "thing".

Alex

Glad you guys had a good time. I wish I could have been there. I had to give the weekend to the wife. We did get to the Air Show of the Cascades.

Cheers...Rob

Nice pics. Wish I could have joined you guys. Do you have any more interesting pics?

Looks like fun, great pics.

Thanks for posting pics, John. We had a great time as well, and enjoyed meeting you and your wife.

Rob, we missed you. Maybe next year.

Here's a few of my pics. Most were shot by Erin, some by me on my iPhone. Full album can be viewed here.

We flew up to the islands from southern Oregon on friday.


Leaving southern Oregon...oh hey, some scattered clouds. The fun ended at about Corvallis as it turned into a proper overcast at 3000.



Met Oregon180 (Ashland) at Scappoose and headed on up, ducking a 3000 foot overcast. Not bad cruising at 2,500, it certainly makes the view below more interesting, but also had to do some weaving through Seatte airspace. Alex picked up the rear about 20 minutes behind us.


Seattle was bathed in sun while we labored on at 2,500 under the OVC with a radio that suddenly developed a shyness. I had to whip out the handheld as Seattle approach told me not to enter the Class B with my shitty radio. They were nice and still have me some traffic alerts and handed me off to Whidbey approach, and told other aircraft that I was a NORDO Skyhawk. I laughed at that even though I was kind of nervous about it. I think I have some antenna issues, as air-to-air communications with my buddies were crystal clear.


Things cleared up once we reached the islands and the angels sang.


Short final at Orcas-Eastsound.


Right down the runway, although that didn't stop me from making 3 landings.


I stole this pseudo-beer from my mom's fridge before we left. Have fun with that slow pitch.


My parking spot had a slight list to it.


I'm sorry, but Cessna went downhill after 1959.


Renaissance Man Alex and his sweet Husky.

Saturday we walked around and explored the small, quiet village of Eastsound.

Some may find this photo appropriate.


Bluegrass quartet at the farmers' market.


This old guy had a cherry Ford pickup from nineteen...? He drove his dogs around, how cool.


Biplane ride? This guy has been selling rides for 19 years in his TravelAir. He said he's had 15 marriage proposals occur in the pax seat.


I made this parorama with my iPhone. Click to enlarge.


We had great weather saturday so we cheesed back on the north beach on Orcas and absorbed some sun.





Took an evening sightseeing flight. Conditions were ideal.


Alex over Friday Harbor.

Sunday morning we had to wait for some breakup, but the wx eventually became really nice.

I actually bought the plane to match the tent.


Breakfast of champions.


Whynotfly taking off in his Skyhawk.


Whnotfly's 93 year old dad departing in a friend's Tri Pacer.


We headed back to the Portland area for some fuel at Starks' Twin Oaks.


Great little country airport.


A beautiful sunset flight home to southern Oregon, and a greaser wheelie night landing to cap it off. Ahhh....

Good times, looking forward to next year.

We had a great time too. What a beautiful area!

We really enjoyed hanging out with everyone and the kids had a lot of fun.

Thanks for setting this up, Zane!

I'm going to have to go out this weekend to practice my wheelies so I can match your greasers in the future...

Oregon180 wrote:I'm going to have to go out this weekend to practice my wheelies so I can match your greasers in the future...

You're too kind, I guess you weren't paying attention. I did so much bouncing it's not even funny. The final landing of the trip was a real redemption though, so one out of 1:6 is not a bad ratio I suppose. I really beat those poor old gear.

Here are some of my pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30167366@N03/3854471306/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30167366@N03/3853681727/

Alex wrote: Oh, and by the way, I'm doing just fine without a "real" door on that "thing".



Alex

Yea, I know.........I'm just jealous.